Single-Riveted Lap-Joint Equations and Calculator

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Single-Riveted Lap-Joint Equations and Calculator

Applications and Design
Stress, Deflections and Structural Analysis

Single-Riveted Lap-Joint Formulas for Stress and Strength Design.

A riveted joint may fail by shearing through the rivets (single or double shear), crushing the rivets, tearing the plate between the rivets, crushing the plate or by a combination of two or more of the foregoing causes. Rivets placed too close to the edge of the plate may tear or shear the plate out to the edge but this type of failure is avoided by placing the center of the rivet 1.5 times the rivet diameter away from the edge.

Single-Riveted Lap-Joint Formulas for Design

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Single-Riveted Lap-Joint Formulas for Stress and Strength Design.

The efficiency of a riveted joint is equal to the strength of the joint divided by the strength of the un riveted plate, expressed as a percentage.

Resistance to shearing one rivet:

R_s = π d²S_s / 4

Resistance to tearing plate between rivets:

R_t = ( p - D) t S_t

Resistance to crushing rivet or plate:

R_c = d t S_c

The safe tensile load L based on single shear of the rivets:

L = n A_r S_s

The safe tensile load L based on bearing stress:

L = n A_b S_c

The safe load L based on the tensile stress:

L = A_p S_t

Efficiency of Design

η = [(safe tensile load L based on single shear of the rivets) / ( l t S_t) ] 100

Where:

R_s = Resistance to shearing (lbs)
R_t = Resistance to tearing plate between rivets (lbs)
R_c = Resistance to crushing rivet or plate (lbs)
L = Safe Tensile Load (lbs)
η = Strength of Joint / Strength of Un-riveted plate (%)
d = diameter of holes (in)
t = thickness of plate (in)
D = Diameter of the rivet (in)
t_c = thickness of cover plates (in)
p = pitch of inner row of rivets (in)
P = pitch of outer row of rivets (in)
S_s = shear stress for rivets (lbs/in²)
S_t = tensile stress for plates (lbs/in²)
S_c = compressive or bearing stress for rivets or plates (lbs/in²)

Reference Machinery Handbook, 23rd Edition